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Lovely Ladies in Unique Hats Celebrated the 142nd Kentucky Derby at the Ebbitt Room in Cape May, N.J.
Photos, story by Lou Perri Fried Polenta. Truffle Risotto, Hot Browns, and Pork Rillette. Nope, not entrees in the Kentucky Derby, but light bites served to guests at the Second Kentucky Derby Day at Virginia Hotel‘s Ebbitt Room in Cape May, N.J., on Saturday, May 7th – the day of thoroughbred racing’s biggest day. Although the Ebbitt’s Room event didn’t select a chapeau winner, there were enough ladies wearing some unique bonnets to have selected a winner. Guests purchased tickets for $10 at the door. Tickets allowed each purchaser a chance to select a thoroughbred entered in the race and the time of finish. The price included served hors d’oeuvres…
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Only The Hardcore Need to Shop and Sell at the Philly Punk Rock Flea Market
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler It’s been a Philly tradition since punk morphed with goth, much to many mohawk-loving punks dismay. But indie producers R5 Productions have created an amazing monster of food, frenzy, chaos and just general cool shit at the Philly Punk Rock Flea Market. Located at the warehouse across from the former Starlight Ballroom now District N9NE (who used to hold their own flea market sometimes and offer cheap, greasy eats with takeout beer), it’s $3 to get in with a wristband that lasts all weekend. This past December, they decided to extend the hours to include Friday (usually it’s only Saturday and Sunday, 10-5 or whenever you’ve had…
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PRUM Philly Pimps the Prom Theme with Crossfit University City and Helps Veterans, Travis Manion Foundation
Story, photos by Deja Cromartie The 2nd Annual PRUM got much more fancy than your high school prom and also benefited the Travis Manion Foundation for veterans at the Arts Ballroom. The black-tie optional event included a 3-hour open bar, delicious hors d’oeuvres, items for raffle, and an awesome DJ. Attendees were dressed to impress and had an awesome time raising money for a great cause. The Travis Manion Foundation was founded shortly after the death of 1st Lt. Travis Manion in Iraq on April 29, 2007 and Crossfit University City is a huge supporter, sparking the idea for a more lively “prom” fundraiser. The organization “engages with veterans and families of the…
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Bugging Out with Cirque du Soleil’s OVO Contortionists at Academy of Natural Sciences
Photos by Louis Perri, video by Cassie Hepler In anticipation of Cirque du Soleil’s upcoming insect-themed arena production, OVO from May 11-15 at the Liacouras Center, two performers, dressed in full costume and make-up as OVO’s black and white spiders, performed a jaw-dropping contortionist number from the show during a scrumptious “Bug Brunch” in the Tarantualas: Alive and Up Close exhibit at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. A tasty offering of edible insect entrees, including Cricket Pancakes, Mealworm Frittata, Homemade Granola Bars made with Queen Weaver Ants, Cricket Scones, and bug-inspired beverages including Beetle Juice, Bumble Bee Honey Lemonade, Slug Juice, Cockroach Coffee and Tarantula Tea were…
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Skrillex Headlines The WAV Nightclub Opening Weekend after Killer Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill Dinner
Photos, story by Lou Perri On opening night of Atlantic City’s newest nightclub WAV, Explore NJ traveled to Caesars Atlantic City to witness the excitement. Explore NJ went to explore the live music and event venue in partnership with Insomniac, the producer behind Electric Daisy Carnival. The venue’s opening weekend, Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2, treated fans to heavy-hitting performances by dubstep phenomenon Skrillex and the eccentric, fan favorite Tommy Trash, respectively. But first, upon entering the lobby, this reporter and a friend saw the newest restaurant in the casino hotel, the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill. Since, the nightclub didn’t open ’til 10 p.m., we decided to see what all…
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Nick’s Adds New, Fall Off the Bone BBQ Items To The Menu
Story, photos by Deja Cromartie Explore Philly was on the scene for an exclusive tasting party for the new BBQ menu at Nick‘s in Old City. Owners Joseph “Joey Dog'” Schultice and Nicole Viechnicki invited us to celebrate the exciting changes to the restaurant. New dishes included smoked applewood chicken wings, St. Louis BBQ spare ribs, pulled pork with jalapeño slaw, pulled pork sweet potatoes, a 7-layer “Jar-BQ” parfait, mac ‘n cheese, house-made sauces and more. Along with the new dishes, we sampled whiskey and spirits to accompany the delicious food. This was my first time visiting Nick’s , but it won’t be my last visit. I’m looking forward to visiting again!…
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Chef Luke Palladino’s Restaurant Palladino’s on Passyunk Spring Tasting Menu Blows Writer’s Mind!
Photos, story by Brittany Harlow Kicking off the spring season, we were invited to attend a media tasting dinner at Palladino’s in East Passyunk. No stranger to Luke Palladino’s mad skills, he was actually one of our first stories for Explore-Philly.com when he opened the restaurant. The event was arranged to introduce the new spring menu, as Palladino’s subscribes to the concept of being completely house made, as well as working with a seasonal, rotating menu. Throughout the evening, Palladino’s staff demonstrated their sincere engagement with their East Passyunk neighborhood, located just an arms throw from the Italian Market. Palladino’s on Passyunk has only been located in this neighborhood for a little over…
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A Mother’s Day Gift Guide To Make Mom Feel, Look and Smell Her Best
Because you spent 9 months inside your mother, pretty much leaching the life out of her, we’re pretty sure she deserves some sort of gift from her devoted offspring. Well, we’ve come up with a pretty sweet list that can make her feel like a new woman no matter what her age. Reiki Charged Quartz Crystal Your crystal is Reiki charged with positive energy, carry it on you in your purse or keep in a special place. Each crystal comes in a velvet pouch just for you, to keep or give to as a gift. All the quartz crystals are hand selected by a Reiki Master for good energy and…
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Ocean City, N.J. Wins Best Beach in America Contest via Coastal Living Magazine
Voters nationwide have chosen Ocean City, NJ as the Best Beach in America. Coastal Living magazine announced the winner of its “Best Beach” contest on Monday morning. Ocean City received more than 100,000 votes in the final round to win the title. The contest was set up like a March Madness grid with the top beaches in 30 coastal states competing in head-to-head matchups. Online voting determined the winner of each round. Ocean City beat Ogunquit Beach (Maine), Hammonasset State Park (Conn.), Crescent Beach (R.I.) and Tybee Island (Ga.) to reach the final against Huntington Beach (Calif.). The first round started on March 11 and the final voting closed on…